Today is a sad day. What to say when a teen commits suicide?

I cannot tell you how it has impacted our Surf Ohana. We are all still swimming in a fog and turning it all over in our minds while our hearts ache and stomachs churn. There are no words. At some point I will blog more on this, but for now I will let the words of Judge Browning speak for us:

" Folks: There is nothing I can really say that takes away the pain and sorrow that we are all feeling. It is tragic and the sense of loss never really leaves it just dulls in intensity, I say this because over the course of my career I have lost 3 individuals in cases I have handled. What you must hold on to is you made a difference.

" This child experienced happiness as a result of spirit surfing. This child experienced caring and love because of all of you. This child had a relationship with a mentor that that was meaninful——a relationship that he may never have had if not for you. And he had the love and caring of a truly wonderful and devoted probation officer….I share your grief.

"He was OUR child. It does no good to ask "why" or to try to second guess what could have been done. I learned this lesson too many times. I hold on to the miracles——the kids whose lives were changed by you. I hold on to the acts of love and grace that each of you give each day that gives a child a reason to believe—-a reason to feel life as it should be felt.

"And I tell myself that the work is never done ; that there are so many other children, like (him), that are saved because of you.